Ruling

Resolution Statement – 02865-18 Collins v Reveal Magazine

  • Complaint Summary

    Jacqueline Collins complained on behalf of Arthur Collins to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that Reveal magazine breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined “Jealous Arthur’s threats to Ferne'”, published on 31 March 2018

    • Published date

      6th September 2018

    • Outcome

      Resolved - IPSO mediation

    • Code provisions

      1 Accuracy

Summary of Complaint 

1.Jacqueline Collins complained on behalf of Arthur Collins to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that Reveal magazine breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined “Jealous Arthur’s threats to Ferne'”, published on 31 March 2018. 

2.The article reported a number of comments made about Mr Collins’ behaviour in prison, made by someone referred to as “a source close to [Mr Collins’ former girlfriend]”. The claims from the source were negative in nature, and included that Mr Collins was threatening anyone that “goes public” with a relationship with his former girlfriend, and that he was obsessed with her. 

3.The complainant said that the source’s claims about his conduct in prison were made-up and inaccurate, and that the article had upset both Mr Collins and his family. 

4.The publication said that the article was based on information provided by a reliable source, whose claims were corroborated by the fact that Mr Collins had behaved in a similar manner in the past. It said that in any event, given Mr Collin’s previous conduct, the inaccuracies alleged by the complainant would not be significant. 

Relevant Code Provisions 

5.Clause 1 (Accuracy) 

i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines not supported by the text. 

ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and — where appropriate — an apology published. In cases involving IPSO, due prominence should be as required by the regulator. 

iii) A fair opportunity to reply to significant inaccuracies should be given, when reasonably called for. 

iv) The Press, while free to editorialise and campaign, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact. 

Mediated Outcome 

7.The complaint was not resolved through direct correspondence between the parties. IPSO therefore began an investigation into the matter. 

8.During IPSO’s investigation of the complaint, the publication wrote to the complainant providing assurances about its future coverage of Mr Collins, including an assurance that it would contact the complainant for her comments, prior to publication. 

9.   The complainant accepted the publication’s offer of resolution, and the Complaints Committee did not make a determination as to whether there had been any breach of the Code.

Date complaint received: 05/04/2018

Date complaint concluded by IPSO: 23/07/2018